Attachment mechanism

ABSTRACT

According to one or more embodiments, an attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of an armor element to a body to be protected by the armor element is disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Israel Patent Application No. 209253filed on 11 Nov. 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein, intheir entirety, by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to armor elements, in particular,add-on armor elements.

BACKGROUND

Armor elements are commonly used to protect a body against variousthreats, mostly incoming projectiles. Such armor elements are adapted todissipate and/or absorb the kinetic energy of the incoming projectile inorder to prevent it from penetrating the body.

When it is desired to protect a body, for example, a vehicle, armorelements are usually mounted onto the exterior/interior of the vehicleand are fastened to become affixed thereto.

Mounting of an armor element onto a vehicle is normally performed eitherby welding the armor element onto the hull of the vehicle at a locationthereon in which protection is sought or by bolting, where the armorelement and the hull of the vehicle are pre-formed with correspondingbores/threads for receiving therein bolts/screws to attach the armorelement to the hull.

In the former case, the armor element is affixed to the hullpermanently, whilst in the latter case the armor element is detachablyattached to the hull and can serve as an add-on panel. respect to theattachment mechanism 1, thereby providing them with greater structuralstrength.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readilyappreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modification can bemade without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatismutandis.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the subject matter of the present applicationthere is provided an attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of anarmor element to a body to be protected by the armor element, theattachment mechanism comprising a first unit and a second unit which areadapted to engage with each other to provide the attachment, the firstunit comprising a first static member and the second unit comprising asecond static member and a working member, one of which static membersis adapted for fixed attachment to the armor element, and the other isadapted for fixed attachment to the body to be protected, the secondunit being configured for assuming a first, disengaged position, inwhich the working member is disengaged from the first unit such that thearmor element and the body to be protected are detached from one anotherand a second, engaged position in which the working member is engagedwith the first unit such that the armor element and the body to beprotected are fixedly attached to one another, and wherein the workingmember further comprises a locking member configured for engagement withthe first unit to prevent disengagement of the working member from thefirst unit, thereby retaining the first unit and the second unit fixedlyattached to one another.

The first unit can have an affixing portion for attachment thereof toone of the armor element and body to be protected, and a mountingportion for attachment thereto of the second unit, in the engagedposition, the locking member being configured for engagement with themounting portion.

The locking member can be configured for assuming a first, unlockedposition, in which it is disengaged from the mounting portion of thefirst unit, so that the working member is free to disengage from thefirst unit, and a second, locked position, in which the working memberis prevented from disengaging from the first unit. The second unit canfurther comprise a biasing arrangement configured for urging the lockingmember into the second, locked position.

The mounting portion of the first unit can have a first engagementsection configured for engagement with the working member and a firstlocking section configured for engagement with the locking member, andthe locking member can be formed with a second locking sectionconfigured to engage the first locking section at least in the lockedposition.

The first unit can have a longitudinal axis and the first lockingsection is disposed at a distance from the affixing portion which isgreater than that of the first engagement section.

The first locking section of the first unit can be in the form of alocking recess configured for receiving at least a portion of the secondlocking section of the locking member, at least in the second, lockedposition.

In the unlocked position, the locking member is configured to assume aplurality of different orientations with respect to the working member,whilst in the locked position it can assume only a single orientationwhich is different of any one of the plurality of orientations. Thedesign can be such that in the locked position, the single orientationis visually distinguishable from any one of the plurality of differentorientations of the unlocked position.

For example, the working member can be formed with a first indicationsurface and the locking member can be formed with a second indicationsurface, wherein in the locked position, the first indication surfaceand the second indication surface are aligned to create a visualindication that the locking member is in the second locked position.

According to one example, in the locked position, the first indicationsurface and the second indication surface are aligned to be flush withone another. According to another example, each of the first indicationsurface and the second indication surface have an imprint thereon, sothat in the locked position, the first indication surface and the secondindication surface are aligned so as to form a combined indicativeimage/pattern.

In addition, the locking member can assume the single orientation onlywhen the working member is properly engaged with the first unit (i.e.when the second unit is in the first, engaged position).

One advantage which can arise from the above design, is that an operatormounting and attaching the armor element to the body to be protectedusing the attachment mechanism can easily identify if the locking memberis not in the locked position, thereby alerting him to the fact that theattachment mechanism is not properly engaged and locked.

The locking member can be designed so that displacement thereof from thelocked position into the unlocked position is configured for manualoperation, so that it is prevented from spontaneous displacement betweenthe two positions. In addition, the design is such that the lockingmember is externally accessible for an operator. According to aparticular example, the locking member can be configured for beinggrasped by the operator and manually displaced between the lockedposition and the unlocked position. Furthermore, the locking member,once displaced into the unlocked position may be used as a handlefacilitating revolving of the working member.

The first unit can comprise, in addition to the static member, a dynamicmember, wherein the static member is configured for fixed attachment toeither of the armor element and body to be protected, and the dynamicmember is configured for being dynamically displaceable with respect tothe first static member.

According to a specific example, the first static member can beconfigured for engagement with the locking member, whilst the dynamicmember can be configured for engagement with the working member of thesecond unit.

According to another aspect of the subject matter of the presentapplication, there is provided an attachment mechanism adapted forattachment of an armor element to a body to be protected by the armorelement, the attachment mechanism comprising a first unit and a secondunit which are adapted to engage with each other to provide theattachment, the first unit comprising a first static member and adynamic member, and the second unit comprising a second static memberand a working member, one of which static members is adapted for fixedattachment to the armor element, and the other is adapted for fixedattachment to the body to be protected, the working member beingconfigured for engagement with the dynamic member and assuming a first,disengaged position, in which it is disengaged from the dynamic membersuch that the armor element and the body to be protected are detachedfrom one another and a second, engaged position in which the workingmember is engaged with the dynamic member such that the armor elementand the body to be protected are fixedly attached to one another, andwherein the first unit further comprises a biasing arrangement urgingthe dynamic unit towards the first static member.

According to a particular design, the first static member can beassociated with an affixing portion of the first unit, configured forattachment thereof to one of the armor element and body to be protected,and the dynamic member can be associated with a mounting portion of thefirst unit, configured for attachment thereto of the second unit, in theengaged position. The design can be such that in the engaged position,when the armor element is affixed to the body to be protected, theaffixing portion is more axially remote from the second unit than themounting portion.

Thus, in the engaged position, due to the biasing of the dynamic member,the latter is configured for applying a force to at least a portion ofthe working member of the second unit, urging it towards the affixingportion of the first unit, thereby facilitating the engagement betweenthe first and the second unit.

In addition, the biasing arrangement is configured to provide thedynamic member with a displacement range, thereby allowing theattachment mechanism to compensate for tolerance errors occurring in themanufacturing of the first and of the second unit.

The dynamic member can be configured for assuming a first biasedposition which corresponds to the position of the dynamic member whenthe first unit is disengaged from the second unit (i.e. the secondunit's disengaged position), and a second biased position whichcorresponds to the position of the dynamic member when the first unit isengaged with the second unit (i.e. the second unit's engaged position).

The dynamic member can be formed with at least one restriction elementand the first static member can be formed with a restriction spacehaving a first abutting end, configured for abutting the restrictionelement of the dynamic member when it reaches its first biased positionand a second abutting end configured for abutting the restrictionelement of the dynamic member when it reaches its second biasedposition.

The dynamic member can be configured for performing an axial movementwith respect to the first static member, so that in the first biasedposition, it is located at a first axial distance (D₁) from the affixingportion, and in the second biased position it is located at a secondaxial distance (D₂) from the affixing portion, greater than the firstaxial position, D₂>D₁.

According to a specific example, the dynamic member can be configuredfor assuming an additional, intermediate position between the firstaxial position and the second axial position, in which the axialdistance between the dynamic member and the affixing portion of thefirst unit (D_(M)) is greater than the distance D₁ and smaller than thedistance D₂, i.e. D₂>D_(m)>D₁.

The dynamic member can be configured for assuming the intermediate axialposition at least at one point during displacement of the working memberbetween the engaged position and the disengaged position.

According to a particular example, one of the dynamic member and theworking member can be formed with guide paths, and the other can beformed with guide projections configured for being received within theguide paths in order to define a trajectory along which the workingmember is configured to progress during its displacement between thedisengaged position and the engaged position.

In addition, the guide paths biased can be formed with a first segmentconfigured for coming in contact with the guide projections duringdisplacement of the working member between the disengaged position intothe engaged position, and a second segment configured for coming incontact with the guide projections when the working member is in theengaged position.

According to a particular example, the dynamic member can be formed withthe guide projections and the working member can be formed with theguide paths. In addition, the dynamic member comprise a pin elementhaving a guide portion configured for constituting at least one of theguide projections, and a restriction portion configured for constitutingthe at least one guide element.

The arrangement can be such that due to the biasing arrangement, themovement of the dynamic member is biased such that the guide projectionsare constantly urged towards the armor/body to which the first unit isaffixed, to thereby, during engagement with the working member, apply aforce on the working member so as to urge it, and consequently theentire second unit, towards the first second unit.

In mounting, bringing the working member from the disengaged positioninto the engaged position can be performed by displacement of theworking member along the trajectory by a single movement.

According to a first example, the biasing arrangement can have a firstend configured for engaging the dynamic member at a first location, anda second end configured for engaging the first static member at a secondlocation which is more remote from the affixing portion than the firstlocation. Alternatively, according to a second example, the firstlocation may be more remote from the affixing portion than the secondlocation.

With reference to the above, in the first example the biasingarrangement can be a compression spring while in the second example thebiasing arrangement can be a tension spring.

Both the first unit and the second unit the attachment mechanism can bemanufactured from materials having ballistic resistance properties, sothat when the armor element is mounted onto the body to be protected,the area in which the first unit and second unit are located maintainsballistic properties similar to those of the armor element.

According to a particular example, either or both of the first unit andsecond unit are configured for fixed attached to the armor element andbody to be protected by insertion of the formers into respectiveholes/cavities of the armor element and body to be protected. Thus, dueto the ballistic nature of the materials from which the attachmentmechanism is manufactured, the above holes/cavities do not deterioratethe ballistic resistance of the armor element and body to be protected.

The attachment mechanism can be manufactured out of a hard materialwhich hardness ranges between 30 to 80 Rockwell C, more particularlybetween 40 to 70 Rockwell C, and even more particularly between 50 to 60Rockwell C. One example of such a material can be tempered 4130 steel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the embodiments of the invention and to see howit may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, byway of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1D are schematic isometric, front, rear and side views of anattachment mechanism of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic isometric exploded view of the attachmentmechanism shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D;

FIG. 3A is a schematic isometric view of a first unit comprised in theattachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D;

FIG. 3B is a schematic isometric view of the first unit shown in FIG. 3Awith the housing thereof being removed;

FIGS. 3C and 3D are schematic section views of the first unit shown inFIG. 3A, at different positions of a dynamic member of the first unit;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic isometric views of a second unit comprisedin the attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, at respectiveclosed and open positions;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic isometric, first side and second sideviews of the attachment mechanism shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, with thehousing of the second unit being removed;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic isometric and front section view takenalong a plane A-A shown in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 7A is a schematic isometric view of an attachment mechanismaccording to another example of the present application;

FIG. 7B is a schematic enlarged view of detail A shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a schematic isometric cross-sectional view of the attachmentmechanism shown in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8B is a schematic enlarged view of detail B shown in FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1A to 2, there is shown an attachment mechanismgenerally designated 1, configured for attachment of an armor element A(shown FIG. 1C) to a body to be protected B (shown FIG. 1C). Theattachment mechanism 1 comprises a first unit 100 and a second unit 200configured for mutual engagement with one another. The first unit 100 isconfigured for fixed attachment to the body B while the second unit 200is configured for fixed attachment to the armor element A.

However, it is appreciated that an opposite arrangement may be used(i.e. first unit 100 attached to the armor element A and the second unit200 to the body B), so long as the units 100, 200 are configured formutually engagement with one another.

In FIGS. 1A to 1D, the attachment mechanism 1 is shown with the firstunit 100 being engaged with the second unit 200, such that the armorelement A is fixedly attached to the body to be protected, B.

With reference being drawn to FIG. 2, the attachment mechanism has acentral axis X, and each of the first unit 100 and second unit 200 has acentral axis, so that when the first unit 100 is engaged with the secondunit 200, the central axes of the units 100, 200 are aligned with oneanother and constitute the central axis X of the attachment mechanism 1.

The first unit 100 comprises a first static member 110 configured forstatic attachment to the body to be protected (i.e. without moving withrespect thereto) by a nut 101 and washer 102. The first unit 100 furthercomprises a dynamic member 120 configured for displacement with respectto the first static member 110, and for engagement with the second unit200.

The second unit 200 comprises a second static member 210 configured forstatic attachment to the body to be protected (i.e. without moving withrespect thereto) by a nut 201. The second unit 200 further comprises aworking member 220 configured for displacement with respect to thesecond static member 210, and for engagement with the first unit 100.

The working member 220 also comprises a locking arrangement 240configured for preventing disengagement between the first unit 100 andthe second unit 200, when the two units 100, 200 are engaged with oneanother.

The arrangement is such that when the first unit 100 and the second unit200 are mutually engaged, the working member 220 of the second unit 200is configured for engagement with the dynamic member 120 of the firstunit 100, and the locking arrangement 240 is configured for engagementwith the first static member 110 of the first unit.

Turning now to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the first unit 100 will now be described(shown in these figures without the nut 101 and washer 102). The firstunit 100 is constituted by an affixing portion AP configured for fixedattachment of the first unit 100 to the body B, and a mounting portionMP configured for engagement with the second unit 200.

The affixing portion AP is in the form of a stud 111 having thereon athread configured for threading thereon the nut 101. The stud 111 has alength L (shown FIG. 3D) which is designed to be greater than thethickness of the body B, so that when the stud 111 is passed through adesignated through-going hole of the hull of the body, it is long enoughto project from the other side of the hull, allowing threading thereonthe nut 101.

Observing the mounting portion MP, the first static member 110 comprisesa housing 112 having an inner cavity 113 (shown FIGS. 3C and 3D),accommodating therein the dynamic member 220. The housing 112 has afirst end 112 a adjacent the affixing portion AP and a second end 112 bmore remote from the affixing portion AP.

The housing 112 is formed with two side openings 115 radially oppositefrom one another, configured for allowing a portion of the dynamicmember 120 to project therefrom. The side openings 115 are axiallyprolonged so as to have a first abutting end 115a and a second abuttingend 115 b, so that the second end 115 b is axially closer to theaffixing portion AP than the first end 115 a.

In addition, the housing is formed, at the second end 112 b with atubular projection 114 configured for engagement with the lockingarrangement 240 of the second unit 200. Specifically, the projection 114is formed with two extensions 116, radially spaced apart from oneanother to define a central recess 118 configured to receive a portionof the locking arrangement 240.

With particular attention being drawn to FIG. 3B, the dynamic member 120comprises a main hub 122 having a tubular shape and being formed thereinwith a central channel 123 oriented transversely to the central axis X,and receiving therein a securing pin 124. The length of the securing pinis such that it radially protrudes from the main hub 122. The securingpin 124 is also formed with a central slit 126 providing it withrequired flexibility in order to insert it into the channel 123 of themain hub 122.

In addition, the dynamic member 120 comprises a biasing arrangement 128configured for constantly biasing the main hub (and consequently thesecuring pin 124) towards the affixing portion AP of the first unit 100.The biasing arrangement 128 is held in place by a cover plate 127 andretained within the housing 112 by a pressure ring 129 abutting thesecond end 112 b of the housing 112.

Reverting now to FIGS. 3A, 3C and 3D, the arrangement is such that whenthe dynamic member 120 is accommodated within the housing 112, thesecuring pin 124 projects from the side openings 115 of the housing 112.

In addition, the diameter of the securing pin 124 is smaller than theaxial extension of the side openings 115, providing the securing pin 124with a certain degree of freedom defined by the displacement rangedelimited by the abutting ends 115 a, 115 b of the side openings 115.

Under the operation of the biasing arrangement 128 (e.g. a compressionspring), the securing pin 124 is constantly urged towards the affixingportion AP, so that, when the first unit 100 is disengaged from thesecond unit 200, the securing pin 124 abuts the second end 115 b of theopening 115 (see FIG. 3C).

In operation, when the dynamic member 120 of the first unit 100 isengaged with the working member 220 of the second unit 200, the securingpin 124 can axially displace towards the first abutting end 115 a, asshown in FIG. 3D. The securing pin 124 may thus assume a first positionin which it is at a distance D1 from the most axially remote point ofthe AP and a second position in which it is at a distance D2 from themost axially remote point of the AP, D₂>D₁. This displacement rangeallows the first unit 100 of the attachment mechanism 1 to compensatefor any tolerance error occurring in the first unit 100 and second unit200.

In addition, when the dynamic member 120 is engaged with the workingmember 220, urging of the securing pin 124 towards the affixing portionAP by the biasing arrangement facilitates a stronger engagement betweenthe working member 220 and the dynamic member 120, as will be explainedin detail with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

It is understood that since the dynamic member 120 has a certain degreeof freedom, it may assume different axial positions with respect to thehousing 112, and consequently, the securing pin 124 may assume differentpositions with respect to the abutting ends 115 a, 115 b of the sideopenings 115 of the housing.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A to 5B, the second unit 200 will now be describedin detail. The second unit 200 comprises a second static member 210,configured for fixed attachment of the second unit 100 to the armorelement A, and a working member 220 configured for engagement with thefirst unit 100.

The second static member 210 is in the form of a tubular ring 212 havinga central cavity 214 configured for receiving therein the working member220. The outer surface of the ring 112 is threaded, allowing threadingthereon the nut 201. Similar to the first unit 100, the axial length ofthe nut is designed to be greater than the thickness of the armorelement A to which the second unit 200 is attached, so that when thering 212 is passed through a designated through-going hole of the armorelement A, it is long enough to project from the other side of the armorelement, allowing threading thereon the nut 201.

The working member 220 is received within the central cavity 214 of thesecond static member 210, and comprises a locking arrangement 240articulated thereto, which will be discussed in detail with reference toFIGS. 4A, 4B, 6A and 6B.

The working member 220 has a central axis and a flange F axiallyseparating the working member 220 into an internal portion IP configuredfor engagement with the first unit 100, and an external portion EPconfigured to be accessible by an operator.

In addition, the working member 220 is also prevented from disconnectingfrom the static member 210 via the flange F being received within arecess 218 formed in an inner surface of the static member 210, anddelimited by a pressure ring 229. Furthermore, when the second unit 200is not in engagement with the first unit 100, the working member 220 isconfigured for freely revolving within the static member 210.

Observing the internal portion IP, the working member is formed with atubular portion 222 having a central cavity C configured for receivingtherein at last a portion of the first unit 100. The tubular portion 222is further formed with two channels 224 extending along the perimeter ofthe tubular body 222. The channels 224 are through-going with respect tothe wall of a tubular body 222, so as to allow an element receivedwithin the central cavity C (in the present example the securing pin 124of the dynamic member 120 of the first unit 100) to protrude through thechannels 224 towards the outside of the tubular body 222.

Each channel 224 has a first end 224 a located at an end of the tubularbody 222 axially remote from the external portion EP and a second end224 b located at an end of the tubular body 222 closer to the externalportion EP. The first end 224 a is formed with an opening, allowing anelement (in the present example the securing pin 124 of the dynamicmember 120 of the first unit 100) to be receive within the channel 224during axial displacement of the working member 220.

In addition, each of the channels 224 is formed, at the second end 224 bwith a recess 226 having an axial extension towards the end of thetubular body 222 remote from the external portion, configured forreceiving therein a portion of the securing pin 124 of the dynamicmember 120 of the first unit 100.

Referring now also to FIGS. 6A and 6B, during engagement of the firstunit 100 and the second unit 200, the former is fixedly received withinthe body B so that the mounting portion MP thereof protrudes from thebody B, and the latter is fixedly attached to the armor element A.

In assembly, the working member 220 of the second unit 200 is aligned sothat the openings formed at the first ends 224 a of the channels 224 areangularly aligned with the portions of the securing pin 124 projectingfrom the housing 112 of the first unit.

Once aligned, the armor element A may be axially displaced with respectto the body B, so that the projections of the securing pin 124 arereceived within the channels 224 of the working member 220. Thereafter,the working member 220 is revolved about the central axis X of thesecond unit 200 (which is also the central axis X of the attachmentmechanism and of the first unit 100 since they are all aligned whenengaged), in this case in a CW direction, so that the portions 223 ofthe tubular body 222 of the working member 220 slide in under theprojections of the securing pin 124.

Revolution of the working member 220 continues until securing pin 124abuts the second end 224 b of the channels 224 of the working member220. Once the projecting portions of the securing pin 124 have reachedthe second end 224 b, and due to the biasing arrangement 128 urging thesecuring pin 124 towards the affixing portion AP, the projectingportions of the securing pin 124 slip into the recess 226 of thechannels 224.

It is understood that since the surface of the recess 226 is moreaxially remote from the external portion EP that the surface of theportions 223, the portions In of the securing pin 124 received withinthe recess 226 are prevented from sliding through the channels 224, andso the working member 220 is prevented from disengagement from thedynamic member 120.

In addition, since the securing pin is biased by the biasing arrangement128, it constantly applies a force T on the portions 223 of the workingmember 220, thereby further securing the engagement between the firstunit 100 and the second unit 200.

With additional reference being made back to FIGS. 4A and 4B, theexternal portion EP of the working member 220 is formed with a tubularprojection 225 having two extensions 227 radially opposite one anotherdefining a central recess 228 configured for receiving therein thelocking arrangement 240.

The locking arrangement 240 is located at the external portion EP of theworking member 220 and is pivotally articulated to the extensions 228 ofthe working member 220 via a hinge 245.

The locking arrangement 240 comprises a locking latch 242 configured fordisplacing between an unlocked position shown in FIG. 4B and a lockedposition shown in FIG. 4A. The locking arrangement 240 also comprises abiasing spring 248 configured for maintaining the locking latch 242 inits locked position.

Reverting to FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the working member 220 of the secondunit 200 is fully engaged with the dynamic member 120 of the first unit100 as described above, the locking latch 242 is configured to assumeits locked position in which it is received within the recess 228 of theworking member 220, and more importantly, within the recess 118 of thestatic member 110 of the first unit 100.

In the locked position shown in FIG. 4B, since the locking latch 242 isreceived within the recess 118, which is in turn, formed in the staticmember 110 which is prevented from revolving (being fixedly attached tothe body B), the working member 220 is prevented from revolving aboutits axis. Thus, as long as the locking latch 242 is in its lockedposition, the working member 220 is prevented from disengaging from thedynamic member 120 of the first unit 100, thereby keeping the armorelement A fixedly attached to the body B.

It is noted that the locking latch 242 cannot assume its lockedposition, i.e. it cannot be received within the recess 118 of the staticmember 110 unless the working member 220 has completed its revolutionabout the axis and is properly engaged with the securing pin 124 of thedynamic member 120. In other words, so long as the recess 118 of thestatic member is not aligned with the recess 228 of the working member220, the locking latch 242 will not be able to assume it position.

It is also noted that in the locked position, an external surface S₁ ofthe locking latch 242 is nearly flush with an external surface S₂ of theextensions 227 of the working member 200. This orientation of thesurfaces S₁ and S₂ is only possible at the locked position of thelocking latch 242.

Thus, when mounting the armor element A onto the body to be protected B,an operator performing the mounting can have a clear and visualindication whether the armor element A is properly attached to the bodyB or not. In other words, if, after mounting, the locking latch 242 isnot in a position in which the surface S₁ and S₂ are nearly flush withone another, this should indicate that the working member 220 of thesecond unit 200 is not properly engaged with the dynamic member 120 ofthe first unit 100.

In order to disengage the first unit 100 from the second unit 200 anddetach the armor element A from the body B, it is first required tomanually displace the locking latch 242 into its unlocked position(shown in FIG. 4B), and thereafter revolve the working member 220 aboutits axis in a direction opposite to that used during engaging (in thiscase CCW).

Manual displacement of the locking latch 242 can be performed by anoperator manually grasping and lifting the locking latch 242 until itreaches a position in which no portion of it is received within therecess 118 of the static member 110. In this position, the locking latch242 may also be used as a handle facilitating the revolving of theworking member 220.

It should be noted that since the projecting portions of the securingpin 124 are received within the recess 226 and held there via thebiasing arrangement 128 of the dynamic member 120, it may be required toapply a certain amount of force in order to cause the projections topop-out of the recess and to cause the working member 220 to revolveabout the axis.

In addition, during mounting of the armor element A onto the body Busing the attachment mechanism 1, the locking latch 242 may be requiredto be displaced into its unlocked position in order to allow revolutionof the working member 220 with respect to the second static member 200and the first unit 100.

At least the majority of the components of the attachment mechanism 1,including the first static member 110, second static member 210, dynamicmember 120, working member 220 and locking arrangement 240 can be madeof materials having a high ballistic resistance. The ballisticresistance of the materials can be chosen such that it does not fallshort of the ballistic resistance of the armor element A attached to thebody B.

Such materials can have a hardness which ranges between 30 to 80Rockwell C, more particularly between 40 to 70 Rockwell C, and even moreparticularly between 50 to 60 Rockwell C. One example of such a materialcan be tempered 4130 steel.

Turning now to FIGS. 7A to 8B, another example of the attachmentmechanism is shown, generally designated as 1′, and differing from theattachment mechanism 1 in the construction of the locking latch 242′ andin the securing pins 124′ and 245′.

In particular, the locking latch 242′ is slightly more robust than thelatch 242 previously described, and is now formed with a shaped recess246′ which is sized and shaped to receive only the tip of the coil 248′.In particular, instead of two similar extensions 244, the presentexample has a first, narrow extension 244 a′ and a second, wideextension 244 b′.

The pins 124′ and 245′ of the attachment mechanism 1′ of the presentexample are spirally rolled pins as opposed to C-shaped pins 124,previously described with

1. An attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of an armor element to a body to be protected by the armor element, the attachment mechanism comprising: a first unit; a second unit adapted to engage with the first unit to provide the attachment; wherein the first unit comprises a first static member and the second unit comprises a second static member and a working member, one of the first or second static members adapted for fixed attachment to the armor element and the other one of the first or second static members adapted for fixed attachment to the body to be protected; wherein the second unit is configured for assuming a first, disengaged position, in which the working member is disengaged from the first unit such that the armor element and the body to be protected are detached from one another and a second, engaged position in which the working member is engaged with the first unit such that the armor element and the body to be protected are fixedly attached to one another; and wherein the working member further comprises a locking member configured for engagement with the first unit to prevent disengagement of the working member from the first unit, thereby retaining the first unit and the second unit fixedly attached to one another at the second, engaged position.
 2. The attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first unit has an affixing portion for attachment thereof to one of the armor element and body to be protected, and a mounting portion for attachment thereto of the second unit, in the engaged position, the locking member being configured for engagement with the mounting portion.
 3. The attachment mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the locking member is configured for assuming a first, unlocked position, in which it is disengaged from the mounting portion of the first unit, so that the working member is free to disengage from the first unit, and a second, locked position, in which the working member is prevented from disengaging from the first unit, wherein the second unit comprises a biasing arrangement configured for urging the locking member into the second, locked position.
 4. The attachment mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the mounting portion of the first unit has a first engagement section configured for engagement with the working member and a first locking section configured for engagement with the locking member, and the locking member is formed with a second locking section configured to engage the first locking section at least in the locked position.
 5. The attachment mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the first unit has a longitudinal axis and the first locking section is disposed at a distance from the affixing portion which is greater than that of the first engagement section.
 6. The attachment mechanism according to claim 3, wherein in the unlocked position, the locking member is configured for assuming a plurality of different orientations with respect to the working member, whilst in the locked position the locking member can assume only a single orientation that is different of any one of the plurality of orientations.
 7. The attachment mechanism according to claim 6, wherein in the locked position, the single orientation is visually distinguishable from any one of the plurality of different orientations of the unlocked position.
 8. The attachment mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the working member is formed with a first indication surface and the locking member is formed with a second indication surface, so that in the locked position, the first indication surface and the second indication surface are aligned to create a visual indication that the locking member is in the second locked position.
 9. The attachment mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the locking member is externally accessible to an operator, allowing him to grasp and manually displace the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.
 10. The attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first unit further comprises a dynamic member configured for being dynamically displaceable with respect to the first static member.
 11. The attachment mechanism according to claim 10, wherein the first static member is configured for engagement with the locking member, whilst the dynamic member is configured for engagement with the working member of the second unit.
 12. An attachment mechanism adapted for attachment of an armor element to a body to be protected by the armor element, the attachment mechanism comprising: a first unit; a second unit adapted to engage with the first unit to provide the attachment; wherein the first unit comprises a first static member and a dynamic member, and the second unit comprises a second static member and a working member, one of the first or second static members adapted for fixed attachment to the armor element, and the other one of the first or second static members adapted for fixed attachment to the body to be protected; wherein the working member is configured for engagement with the dynamic member and assuming a first, disengaged position, in which it is disengaged from the dynamic member such that the armor element and the body to be protected are detached from one another and a second, engaged position in which the working member is engaged with the dynamic member such that the armor element and the body to be protected are fixedly attached to one another; and wherein the first unit further comprises a biasing arrangement urging the dynamic unit towards the first static member.
 13. The attachment mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the first static member is associated with an affixing portion of the first unit, configured for attachment thereof to one of the armor element and body to be protected, and the dynamic member can be associated with a mounting portion of the first unit, configured for attachment thereto of the second unit, in the engaged position.
 14. The attachment mechanism according to claim 13, wherein in the engaged position, the dynamic member is configured for applying a force to at least a portion of the working member of the second unit, urging it towards the affixing portion of the first unit.
 15. The attachment mechanism according to claim 13, wherein the dynamic member is configured for assuming a first biased position which corresponds to the position of the dynamic member in the second unit's disengaged position, and a second biased position which corresponds to the position of the dynamic member in the second unit's engaged position, and wherein the dynamic member is formed with at least one restriction element and the first static member is formed with a restriction space having a first abutting end, configured for abutting the restriction element of the dynamic member when it reaches its first biased position and a second abutting end configured for abutting the restriction element of the dynamic member when it reaches its second biased position.
 16. The attachment mechanism according to claim 15, wherein the dynamic member is configured for performing an axial movement with respect to the first static member, so that in the first biased position, it is located at a first axial distance (D ₁) from the affixing portion, and in the second biased position it is located at a second axial distance (D₂) from the affixing portion, greater than the first axial position, D₂>D₁.
 17. The attachment mechanism according to claim 13, wherein one of the dynamic member or the working member is formed with guide paths, and the other one of the dynamic member or the working members is formed with guide projections configured for being received within the guide paths in order to define a trajectory along which the working member is configured to progress during its displacement between the disengaged position and the engaged position.
 18. The attachment mechanism according to claim 17, wherein owing to the biasing arrangement, the movement of the dynamic member is biased such that the guide projections are constantly urged towards the armor/body to which the first unit is affixed, to thereby, during engagement with the working member, apply a force on the working member so as to urge it, and consequently the entire second unit, towards the first second unit.
 19. The attachment mechanism according to claim 18, wherein bringing the working member from the disengaged position into the engaged position is performable by displacement of the working member along a trajectory of the guide paths in a single movement.
 20. The attachment mechanism according to claim 12, wherein both the first unit and the second unit of the attachment mechanism are manufactured from materials having ballistic resistance properties.
 21. The attachment mechanism according to claim 12, wherein either or both of the first unit and second unit are configured for fixed attached to the armor element and body to be protected by insertion thereof into respective holes/cavities of the armor element and body to be protected.
 22. The attachment mechanism according to claim 21, wherein the ballistic nature of the materials from which the attachment mechanism is manufactured is such that the holes/cavities do not deteriorate the ballistic resistance of the armor element and the body to be protected.
 23. The attachment mechanism according to claim 22, wherein the attachment mechanism is manufactured out of a hard material which hardness ranges from about 30 to about 80 Rockwell C.
 24. The attachment mechanism according to claim 1, wherein either or both of the first unit and second unit are configured for fixed attached to the armor element and body to be protected by insertion thereof into respective holes/cavities of the armor element and the body to be protected.
 25. The attachment mechanism according to claim 24, wherein the ballistic nature of the materials from which the attachment mechanism is manufactured is such that the holes/cavities do not deteriorate the ballistic resistance of the armor element and the body to be protected.
 26. The attachment mechanism according to claim 25, wherein the attachment mechanism is manufactured out of a hard material which hardness ranges from about 30 to about 80 Rockwell C. 